After receiving a degree in music at Grinnell College, John received his Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in 2007. At the University of Maryland, he received the Dean's Thesis Award and the 2007 David M. Schwarz Traveling Fellowship, which allowed for thesis research in Japan.
No one benefited more than Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors when John and his family decided to move to Sarasota. His highly effective design and project management skills were instrumental in projects such as the Ringling College of Art + Design's Basch Visual Arts Center, Fruitville Elementary, and the New College Master Plan. His work with the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion has earned two awards: 2015 Florida Association of AIA: Merit Award for an Object for the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion's picnic shelter and a Finalist for the SRQ Magazine: Building of the Year. His work on Fruitville Elementary has earned the firm the coveted national 2017 Brick in Architecture Award K-12 given by the Brick Industry Association. John's prolific body of work during this period compelled the Florida / Caribbean AIA jury to award Sweet Sparkman the 2018 Firm of the Year.
John is active in the architectural community through the USGBC and the AIA. He served as president of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the AIA in 2014. Besides being active in the architectural community, John loves playing guitar and hanging out with his beautiful wife and family.
